X-Trail caravan battery charging
Hi, we are about to change our car for a 2014 model The two favourites are a VW Tiguan (4wd) and the X-Trail (last of the 'old' shape)
We prefer the X-Trail due to size and engine power, but have read about the 'smart charging' fitted on all post-2010 models.
This, apparently, is a Nissan alternator design that senses when the car battery is full, and stops charging it until a top up is required.
Unfortunately, it also stops charging the caravan battery as well - also the fridge, but that's not really important to us.
The leisure battery charging, however, is important because we tend to use rally sites without EHU. I can forsee problems using the motor mover ater a weekend away, when the battery is depleted and we arrive home to find that there is insufficient power
left to get the van back on the drive.
If it was charged by the car on the way home, of course, the problem wouldn't arise.
I've spoken to a Nissan dealer and the acknowledged the problem - but their solution was to drive with as many electrical items switched on as possible to ensure that the vehicle battery needed charging (and, as a consequence, charge the caravan battery
as well)
That seems like a cludgy solution to me - how have other post-2010 X-Trail owners overcome the issue (or can't it be overcome?)
Thanks